renovation
in d o o r s
House-Wise
with
D a n n y L ip fo rd
Maximize your existing kitchen by
adding storage or annexing space.
f a lack of space in the
1
kitchen is putting a damper
on your culinary creativity,
it might be time for a
change. You don’t have to
spend a fortune to increase the size
and storage capacity of your
kitchen. With a bit of imagination
and ingenuity, you can have the
kitchen of your dreams at a fraction
of the cost of a total remodel.
■ GRAB WHAT YOU'VE GOT
Sometimes the solution to kitchen
storage problems is staring you
right in the face. Many wall
cabinets waste the potential for
storage by stopping a foot short of
the ceiling. Consider having custom
cabinets built to fill in the gap, then
cover the seam separating old
from new with a small strip of
molding. This added cabinet space
is great for storing seldom-used or
seasonal items.
■ CUSTOM-FIT THE FRIDGE
Another often-wasted area is
over the refrigerator. Adding a
cabinet—as wide and deep as your
refrigerator-can provide much-
needed storage for larger items.
It’s also a great place to hide a
television on a sliding shelf, so
you can keep up with the latest
cooking shows.
■ ADD A FEW INSERTS
Home centers are full of easy-to-
install cabinet accessories that can
take advantage of every inch inside
your cabinets. They include lazy
susans, rollout racks and trays,
and lid holders that mount on the
inside of cabinet doors. These
handy gadgets allow you to
organize your kitchen much
more efficiently.
■ PACK UP THE PANTRY
While a walk-in pantry is
convenient, it can take up a lot of
valuable kitchen floor space. A
better solution is to remove the
wall between the pantry and
kitchen and incorporate the area
into the kitchen itself. To make up
for lost storage space, install tall
cabinets with rollout drawers and
adjustable shelves.
■ BYE-BYE, BACK PORCH
Many homes built in the ’
40
s,
’
50
s, and ’
60
s have a small porch
off the kitchen that isn’t large
enough to be of any practical use.
This area can often be easily
incorporated into the kitchen by
removing the adjoining wall,
leveling the floor, and finishing the
walls and ceiling. Adding an awning
or covered landing over the new
back door can provide protection
from the elements. fii)
Danny is the host of the nationally
syndicated show
Today's Homeowner
with Danny Lipford
(dannylipford.com).
Get more advice from Danny and
submit your own questions at
BHG.com/dannylipford
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BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS NOVEMBER
2009
7 3
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